Types of Waves

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Front

What are the two main types of waves?

Back

The two main types of waves are mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through.

Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

An electromagnetic wave is a wave that can travel through a vacuum and does not require a medium.

Front

How do sound waves travel through air?

Back

Sound waves travel through air by pushing air particles back and forth toward and away from the source of the sound.

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A transverse wave is a wave in which the motion of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

Front

What is a longitudinal wave?

Back

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave.

Front

What is a surface wave?

Back

A surface wave is a wave that travels along the surface of a medium, exhibiting both longitudinal and transverse motion.

Front

What is a periodic wave?

Back

A periodic wave is a wave that repeats at regular intervals.

Front

What is amplitude in a wave?

Back

Amplitude is the maximum distance that the particles of a medium move from their rest position when a wave passes through.